BLACK FRIDAY UPDATE: Lots of sales from all over the place, weekend preview, fighters house burns down, another fighter retires young, Brody on WWE.com, tons more

Friday, 23 November 2012 13:37

By Bryan Alvarez

Bryan Alvarez:
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@bryanalvarez

What used to be the biggest weekend of the year in pro wrestling is now the single most nonexistent one. There isn't one major U.S. show this weekend in pro wrestling or MMA. Bellator is running a news show tonight on MTV 2. Ultimate Fighter and Smackdown both air in their usual time slots, but no live events.

The only thing televised live will be The Score Fighting Championships which airs at 10 p.m. Eastern in the U.S. on AXS and live in Canada on The Score, coming from the Hamilton Place Theater, in Hamilton, ONT:

Brandt Dewsbery (168.4) vs. Ryan Dickson (170.6)

Iraj Hadin (156) vs. Jason Saggo (155.4)

Kevin Morin (155.4) vs. Alex Ricci (155.2)

Tristan Johnson (145.8) vs. Will Romero (145)

Ryan Healy (155.2) vs. Jesse Ronson (155.8)

Jordan Mein (170.4) vs. Forrest Petz (170.6)

Raw will be live on Monday in Lafayette, LA. The only thing announced is Michael Cole will be interviewing Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns.

Smackdown, Main Event and Saturday Morning Slam will be taped on Tuesday in Bossier City, LA. John Cena vs. Damien Sandow will be the main event on this coming week's Main Event show.

Coverage of where WWE and UFC are going after the big weekend shows are the headline stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We look at WWE plans, both announced and in the planning stages, following up Survivor Series. We look at the background of Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns, where they came from and their respective strengths and weaknesses.

We look at the Survivor Series booking, who were the standouts, why booking of one performer has changed greatly, the card for the TLC PPV, plus a rundown of the show with poll results and star ratings.

We also look at UFC in 2013, with a look at every division, including the women. We look at the top contenders, which divisions have depth, which are lacking, as well as a look at the Georges St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva proposed fight as well as Silva vs. Jon Jones, and how that affects both weight divisions. We look at the questions regarding championship fights vs. big money fights.

We look at the contenders who have a shot at being stars, and those who deserve shots but maybe don't have that, as well as who can make themselves stars coming up or bring their careers back. We look at the weak divisions, as well as the questions regarding women being put in PPV main events. We also look at the status of Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg and why most feel Cyborg will inevitably fight her. We also look at the idea of Rousey as a coach on Ultimate Fighter.

We also look at the return of St-Pierre, questions answered and others not by his performance. We look at the Patrick Cote vs Alessio Sakara controversy, as well as one of the most disagreed with decisions in a long time. We also look at the business results of UFC 154, including not selling out in Montreal and why, the value of prim time, and thoughts on PPV and closed circuit numbers.

We also have match-by-match rundowns from the show.

We also update the MMA television landscape for 2013 when it comes to the games being played by FX and Spike, why nobody will confirm dates for January, a well as what is and isn't booked already.

We also look at a major project on the books for WWE next year. Steve Austin talks about Austin vs. Hogan and who he thinks should be in he Half of Fame. Edge talks why women in WWE leave so often. We also look at why Miz turned face, who is booking house shows nowadays, who is able to get away with more, the story behind the Sammartino Hall of Fame reference, Linda McMahon gets more pub after her campaign and another match planned for Mania. We also look at new names for WWE trained wrestlers and who they are, as well as more on WWE scouting, details of the last NXT tapings, and who people are highest on in developmental. We also look at the developmental cuts and delayed viewership of Raw.

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

The Observer is now in its 29th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling and MMA industry, from bookers to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest names on camera and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and more than 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed for 20 years or longer consecutively. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world. Everywhere from Wall Street to the major offices to television networks in the U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business.

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. Just sent your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address, phone number, card number and expiration date to
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You can also subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228.

We also have a look at the ratings of all the major shows and complete details on how every segment of Raw and Impact this past week did. We look at what segments gained and lost viewers

We also have results from all the major league arena events over the past week as well as a look at all the major television shows.

Also in this week's issue:

--Injury to the new Mistico

--New world title contender in CMLL

--Performer celebrates 55 years in the business

--Main event announced for AAA's Guerrera de Titanes

--Wrestler talks why he left promotion

--A look at the recent AAA TV tapings

--Big group vs. group main event in Japan

--Hall of Famer to return to Japan in December

--All Japan's big show for December

--Notes on Japanese wrestling's ability to draw outside the country

--A look at all the tag team tournaments going on

--Pretty actresses doing pro wrestling show in December

--Name wrestler opening restaurant this week

--A look at the Global League tournament

--Hall of Famer has to close his gym

--New Japan has two tournaments going on this week

--Notes on two newcomers to New Japan

--Hall of Famer gets award from international government

--Chinese giant set to debut

--80s legends battle in main event

--Notes on the death of Dwain McCullough, also known as the original Awesome Kong

--More on the death of Mike Graham

--Notes on the new TV show that Chris Jericho is hosting

--Where the idea of the show cam from

--Jericho's early 2013 schedule and availability

--Notes on the Extreme Rising show

--The injury to Matt Hardy

--The concept of the promotion and why even with drawing good crowds it's difficult

--Notes on the funeral of Brad Armstrong

--Longest matches of the last 50 years in New York

--Thoughts on NWA Hall of Fame class

--Notes on the legacy of Sputnik Monroe

--Notes on the 2013 Cauliflower Alley Club award and the club going forward

--Notes on the early days of Montreal wrestling

--Update on Jake Roberts training for a comeback match

--Funny Mil Mascaras story

--Where the Gorgeous George gimmick really came from

--A life in prison sentence given to a conspirator in a brutal murder of a Canadian pro wrestler

--More on Hulk Hogan's court battle over the sex tape and why the judge made the ruling he did

--TNA star returns after health scare

--Notes on future TNA TV schedule between now and the end of February

--Notes on TV tapings in the U.K.

--Notes on changing announcers jobs

--Why the different injury angles have been done

--Update on plans for Sting

--Who Kurt Angle thinks TNA has dropped the ball on

--Update on King Mo and what match he watches all the time

--Notes on the TNA weekend house show tour

--Update on the next UFC lineup for Seattle

--Notes on Shane Carwin's injury and the curse of being a coach on Ultimate Fighter

--Notes on turning down short notice fights

--Legal issues settled between two warring parties

--A look at a number of new fights

--Fighter announces retirement

--More UFC injuries

--Notes on the final Bellator show on MTV 2

--First eight matches announced for New Year's Eve in Japan

--A Christmas Eve show in Japan featuring 90s star vs. 00s star

--One of the most decorated heavyweight wrestlers to come to MMA debuts

--A look at what will be the biggest rivalry in college wrestling this year

--Olympic gold medalist turns down MMA offers

Rates are:

For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to
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For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 .

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

Today's News, Notes and Links

-- If things weren't tough enough for Dennis Hallman (lots of issues at home), his house burned down yesterday. "Sad Thanksgiving for me and my family," he wrote on Twitter. "My house burned down early this AM. Thank God no one was hurt and I have that to be thankful for. Something like this makes my recent direction change all the harder -- the one person that could make me feel okay about everything is no longer here. When God wants you to have a fresh start sometimes he really wants to make his point clear." They believe it was an electrical fire and he said he lost everything.

-- UFC fighter Nick Denis, 29, announced his retirement on his blog here. He's greatly concerned not only about concussions but about the effects of sub-concussive blows. It's a very interesting read from a very smart guy.

-- "In the last couple years, and especially in the last few months leading up to my May 5 fight, while sparring I would notice that when I got hit, it would affect me more and more. When I first started sparring I would run through punches unaffected. Not only that, but now training at Tristar, I am literally training with the world's best. We are all training at the highest level, all for the same reasons. Could I fight in the UFC, against the best fighters in our solar system, literally trained killers, without sparring in training? Not really, so what was I to do? I have made the decision to retire."

-- Paul Lazenby will be appearing in episodes of the ABC TV series "Once Upon a Time" airing December 2nd and 16th, and tomorrow he begins work on a movie-of-the-week entitled "Secret Liason", in which he has a supporting role as a villainous bodyguard.

-- Bellator fighters will be on Ink Master this coming Tuesday night at 10 EST on Spike TV.

-- Bruiser Brody featured on WWE.com herein an article about unique footwear.

-- Notes from a Chris Daniels interview herewhere he says he'd love to be TNA World Champion.

-- Gabe Sapolsky talks about the first time he booked Dean Ambrose here, and why he reminded him of CM Punk.

-- BLACK FRIDAY DEALS:

-- Obviously our own site is doing a deal where if you buy a gift subscription for a friend, you can get 1 month, 2 months or 3 months added FREE to your own account depending on the length of the sub you buy. Details on the front page.

-- Dave also has info hereabout how you can get a FREE autographed copy of his Tributes II book if you order a minimum six month subscription for yourself (first-time readers) or a friend today only. These two offers can be added together. So if you buy a friend a six-month sub you can get the FREE copy of Tributes plus the FREE 2 months added to your sub, all in one fell swoop. Make sure to not delete the email receipts because you'll need them (forward one to Dave at
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for the book, and one to Tony at
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for the free months).

-- ROH Wrestling sale herewith big savings for anyone and even bigger savings if you are a Ringside Member (up to 50% off DVDs today only).

-- Everything you ever wanted to know about DGUSA/EVOLVE Black Friday sale is up here. We also have a video preview of the sale and upcoming events on the front page right now.

-- WHAT DO YOU THINK WAS THE MAIN REASON THE HELL IN A CELL NUMBER WAS UP?

Unique situation of undefeated challenger going for the title in a match with no DQ 47.4%

Seven weeks between PPV shows 26.1%

Punk coming into his own as a real drawing card 10.7%

Ryback's natural charisma 7.6%

Hell in a Cell gimmick 6.5%

WWE overall getting better 1.7%

IF A UFC FIGHTER FAILS A DRUG TEST, SHOULD THEY BE FIRED

Yes on first offense 18.9%

On second offense 32.0%

On third offense 31.6%

No, should always be brought back if they are a winning fighter 17.5%

IF RONDA ROUSEY FACES SARA MCMANN, WILL IT TOP 275,000 BUYS ON PPV?

Yes 44.4%

No 55.6%

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF WWE MAIN EVENT?

Excellent 40.0%

Good 40.0%

Average 1.8%

Fair 10.9%

Poor 7.3%

59.3% of those responding didn't see the show

-- CHIKARA: "Under the Hood" Sunday, December 2nd Live at The Trocadero in Philadelphia, PA! Tickets on Sale Right Now! Doors = 3:00 pm Belltime = 4:00 pm. Marty Jannetty is back on the show teaming with 1-2-3 Kid, and the show airs on iPPV. More details at chikarapro.com

-- December 8th EVOLVE show at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ, which will be an iPPV on WWNLive.com (as all DGUSA/EVOLVE shows are with very few exceptions), has Chuck Taylor vs. John Davis, AR Fox vs. Tony Nese, Jigsaw vs. Rich Swann, Masada vs. Papadon, and the winners facing off in a four-way freestyle later in the show.

-- Platinum Championship Wrestling returns to Porterdale, Georgia on Saturday, December 1st! We're there every First and Third Saturday of the month! 2001 Main Street Porterdale, Georgia 30070 (20 East, Go right off of Exit 88, 3.5 miles go left at the four-way stop, building is on the left side of the street) $10, Free to 8 years old and under! Bell time is 6 p.m.

-- From the promoter: EXTREME RISING’s “Remember November” event was successful and now all roads lead to SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29TH at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia for thee wrestling event of 2012. FREE SHIPPING on all ticket orders until this Monday! More here.

-- Ed and the Peachmachine work the return of the Drunkcast Radio/Over the Top Radio show tonight. Ed didn't send a link. Because I am a nice guy, I went out of my way to find it. Click here.